Putting Your Oxygen Mask On First - Even in the Middle of the Fight
The weight of the current political climate, highlighted by this weekend’s No King’s protests around the country, is creating a palpable sense of exhaustion. Walking around Broomfield’s protest today, there seemed to be a collective mix of emotions that don’t quite make sense together, and yet they can all exist at the same time.
Hope. Rage. Grief. Pride. Fear. Relief. Exhaustion.
Seeing people show up, being loud, visible, and creative with their signs, can feel uplifting and is a good reminder that you are not alone. And at the same time, it can feel heavy and also remind us that there is still a long uphill battle in front of us, so it can be easy for the hopeless, helpless feelings to set in.
Showing up, physically or emotionally, means paying attention and letting it in. There is a collective burnout happening as we continue to witness injustice, feeling the weight of what is at stake, and carrying the reality that this isn’t a quick fix.
This is not a one day thing. This is a long fight.
The Oxygen Mask Isn’t Optional
In the midst of this struggle, the adage of “putting your own oxygen mask on first” is more than just a cliche - it is a survival strategy.
You cannot sustain the fight if you are depleted. Movements and change don’t just need passion, they need sustainability. Burnout doesn’t help the cause - it quietly removes people from it.
And burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like:
Snapping at your kids for something small
Doom scrolling at midnight even though your body is begging for sleep
Feeling numb when you know you care
Questioning if anything you do even matters
This is what happens when your nervous system is overloaded and stressed out. And the shit that is happening in the world right now is really freakin’ stressful!
“Therapy Shouldn’t Be Political”
I’ve seen this come up a lot more lately, so let’s talk about this for a second.
The idea that therapy should be ‘neutral’ or ‘not political’ sounds nice in theory, but it is not how real life works. The current political climate is having a profound impact on our daily lives. Concerns around safety, healthcare, bodily autonomy, family systems, and financial stability are provoking feelings of anxiousness, grief, anger, and fear. So it is not possible to talk about life without processing the trauma that politics is causing.
Your Feelings Make Sense
During times like this, your nervous system is trying to find safety in an environment that doesn’t feel safe. So you might be feeling energized and ready to act, completely drained, or guilty for not doing more. All of these responses make sense. There is no ‘right’ way to respond or feel, so trying to allow yourself the space and grace to notice what is coming up without judgement or trying to fix it can help.
Taking Care of Yourself Is Part of the Work
Rest is not quitting. Stepping back is not apathy. Taking a break does not mean you don’t care. It means you are playing the long game and you know that this fight isn’t won in a weekend.
You can’t keep fighting if you don’t take a break.
So, for today, your oxygen mask might look like:
Drinking water and actually eating a meal
Taking a nap
Putting your phone down for a bit
Letting yourself cry without trying to ‘fix’ it
Saying “this is enough for today”
Small things matter and they are not small to your nervous system.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If this weekend (or the daily dumpster fire we are in) stirs something up, whether emotionally, physically, or mentally, please know that you don’t have to carry it by yourself.
If you are feeling the weight of the world and trying to hold your own life together - you deserve support in that. It is possible to care deeply and take care of yourself. You can stay engaged and informed without burning out.
And you don’t have to figure this out alone.
If you are ready for more support, I encourage you to check out an upcoming Emotional Reset event. This is a space to pause, process, and regulate your nervous system in the midst of everything that is happening - with like minded women.
This event isn’t about venting or checking out - it is about helping you come back to yourself so you can keep showing up in the ways that matter most.
If this resonates - if you’re ready to start putting yourself first - you don’t have to do it alone. This is the work I do. You can explore my services or book a consultation when you’re ready.
Seriously, go put your oxygen mask on first.
